First read is on us.

Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.

Travel Channel burns bridges with Anthony Bourdain and gets away in a Cadillac


Skift Take

Travel Channel is smarting from Bourdain's departure to CNN, and it apparently decided that the value of a good relationship with Cadillac was worth more than the cost of burning bridges with its one-time star.

For the past eight years, I’ve been making a television show called NO RESERVATIONS. I wrote it. I executive produced it. And I appeared in it. My partners and I always tried hard to make it good.

During that time, I understood the way the world works...[but]...My inclination, I should point out has always been to do NO product integration of ANY kind. I do not have a merchandise line.

So it came as a shock and a disappointment to turn on the TV for the last two episodes of my show, and see that someone had taken footage that me and my creative team  had shot for my show, cut it up and edited it together with scenes of a new Cadillac driving through the forest.

Up Next

Airlines

How Airlines are Redefining Premium Travel with Customizable and Personalized Experiences

As the airline industry adapts to evolving traveler expectations, premium cabins coupled with personalized experiences have become essential tools for driving loyalty and revenue. Airlines are turning to digital innovation and sustainable practices to redefine the premium travel experience and meet the needs of diverse customers.
Sponsored
Online Travel

5 Bidders, 1 Last Week: New Details about the Tripadvisor Deal

With a bid coming across the table as late as last week, will Tripadvisor's proposed acquisition of Liberty Tripadvisor close as scheduled by June? If it gets that far, there could be all kinds of deal possibilities in Tripadvisor's future.